1. Imperialism-Definition
The Policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories
View Expansion Video

2. *3 Reasons for American Imperialism
1. Economic competition for raw materials and markets for its manufactured goods.
2. Political and Military competition, based on the need for a powerful new navy
3. A belief in racial superiority and mission to spread Christianity and civilization to the world
View American Expansionism around 1900

3. Anti-Imperialism Not everyone agreed U.S. should expand
Some felt it was morally wrong
Some felt it cost too much money

4. America Expands-Alaska
*“Seward’s Folly”-the purchase of Alaska
*1867, US bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million (2 cents an acre)
People thought Alaska was frozen wasteland and a huge mistake
William Seward
Thomas Nast cartoon of Seward

5. America Expands-Hawaii
Annex-to acquire/take over
1898-United States/ President McKinley annexed Hawaii
Overthrow of Queen Lil, and Native Hawaiians
Wanted access to China and East
Last Queen of Hawaii, Lil
Sanford B. Dole

6. The Spanish-American War 1898
Cuba was fighting Spain for Independence
Jose Marti`-Cuban leader
*Spain put 300,000 civilians in concentration camps
*American newspapers began writing exaggerated claims of Spanish brutality towards Cubans that became known as Yellow Journalism -exaggerated news to lure new readers
Jose Marti
Newspaper drawing about Spanish officials strip searching U.S. woman
“Yellow Kid” Cartoon

7. Yellow Journalism
Two New York Journalists race to sell the most papers
Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst publish lies about the war to sell the most papers
Joseph Pulitzer
William Randolph Hearst

8. The Spanish-American War 1898
*3 reasons U.S. enters War
*1. yellow journalism
*2. DeLome Letter-Spanish ambassador claims Pres. McKinley is “weak”
*3. The U.S.S. Maine mysteriously blows up in Havana and the U.S. blames Spain

9. *“The Splendid Little War”
U.S. attacks Spanish fleet at Manila Bay in Philippines (Spanish territory)
U.S. and Filipino forces quickly defeat Spanish

10. “The Splendid Little War”
War in Cuba
Fighting is somewhat fierce
*Teddy Roosevelt leads a group of volunteers called The Rough Riders in the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba
Rough Riders play only small part, but Roosevelt becomes famous
San Juan Hill
Rough Riders
African-American Unit that fought along side Rough Riders

11. *Treaty of Paris 1898 Spain grants Cuba its Independence
U.S. gets the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam
Platt Amendment allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuba’s affairs, which U.S. did on multiple occasions.
Guantanamo Bay
Cuba became a Protectorate of U.S.

13. This cartoon dates to 1898 shortly after the war
What symbols are used to represent the various nations involved in the unfolding drama of the birth of the American empire?
How does the portrayal of Cuba in this cartoon compare with the previous cartoon?

14. “Won’t you join the stars and be my forty-sixth. 1
“Won’t you join the stars and be my forty-sixth? 1. What is the significance of Cuba being represented as white and attractive or voluptuous? 2. Explain the apparent intention of the artist in the context of 1901, when Spanish troops had left Cuba and the United States continued its military occupation of the island?

15. Philippine-American War
Filipinos were outraged when U.S. did not grant independence
War lasted for 3 years 1899 to 1902
20,000 Filipinos died
4,000 U.S. troops died
Needed Philippines for easier access to China
New York Journal –example of Yellow Journalism during Philippine-American War

16. America As World Power Great White Fleet
New all steel fleet of a dozen or so ships that TR sent around the world to show U.S. dominance
Painted white

17. America As World Power Panama Canal
Built to connect Atlantic and Pacific Ocean
Cutting travel time of U.S. ships by half
Panama was province of Colombia, but TR helped Panama get its Independence to get Canal built
Teddy Roosevelt got credit

18. Roosevelt and Latin America
*Gunboat Diplomacy
*Use force to accomplish goals in world, especially Latin America
*“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far”-famous saying by Teddy

19. *Achievements During Imperialism
U.S. expanded access to foreign markets to ensure economic growth
Built a modern Navy to protect its interest abroad
Became an international police force to ensure domestic dominance in Latin America